Since my increase in tablets from 15mg to 17.5 I am so tired and moody. Haven't written any Christmas cards or even thought of putting the tree up. I am usually the person that everyone groans at with the Ho Ho Ho spirit.
Anyone else feel like this.....Scrooge alias Rockpool :/ xxxx
Yes im definately feeling the same as you. Sounds awful but just wish xmas was over!
Cold & flaring have ruined my week and weekend, havnt wrote or bought any cards or xmas presents and although tree is downstairs its still in the box lol.
Bah humbug!!
Jo
Xxx
Hi Jo. It is complete pants isn't it. Feel quite bad as I am the Christmas organiser in the house and nothing is up or done 
If one more person says cheer up I will be getting my meals served in the jail ...lol..only joking but it does get to you. Big hug xxxx
My Christmas spirit is alive, well and waving tinsel in the air. I have ra which has robbed me of many things but I won't let it rob me of enjoying Christmas. Last night I went to my husbands Christmas party and I danced with the best of them. It was the first Christmas party where I've been unable to drink due to mtx but I'm so thankful that I'm not in the terrible pain I was in last year before diagnosis. Today my feet are aching but I'll forever have the fabulous memory of a lovely night and seeing my husband dancing gangnam style 
To those who are struggling at the moment, I hope you feel better soon x
Paula x x
Yes me to, Always the life and sole of a party, But this year have been unable to go anyway, Also have lost the Christmas spirit, But have to do it for my daughter and my baby boy, (bobby the dog)
We just had a Visit from father Christmas, Which he comes around on this slay every year, the Children love it, so does bobby swagging his tail, My sister will be doing the turkey this year, So that a lot of my mind,
Take care xx
Well I'm like you Paula - going with the flow this year - last year I was just starting MTX but it hadnt had a chance to work so no booze but lots of pain. Couldn't write cards - this year can't afford to send 'em (postage sooo expensive now)but I'm not in splints - weigh a stone less and my boys have just voted my Xmas tree the most over decorated and ridiculous yet! Things will surely improve for you all soon newbies! Xxxx
Me too, we have our tree up, cards written, cake made ready to be iced. My daughter got me going early this year, she wanted the tree up on the 1st Dec, I'm glad we did it now.
As TT says, things will improve.
Good for you Paula, glad you had fun!!
Mary
Oh I really hope you get into it soon ....my Xmas works do did the trick for me and putting the tree up with my kids so I'm with Paula .....
Paula does a glass or two make you unwell with Methx ? , I seem to be ok and so far my bloods are ok with it we are allowed alcohol just very limited my rhumi nurse and my friends say up to 10 units a week and not all in one go ...such a subject alcohol isn't it ...your husband sounds a star lol ..lots of love to you all xx
Hi Claire, he made me laugh so much I'm sure he'd been rehearsing the moves in secret lol. I had a glass of bubbly on my anniversary and I intend having two on Christmas day and a snowball on Christmas eve Alcohol doesn't make me unwell, I just took the decision to abstain from alcohol unless it's a special occasion as I worry about the effects on my liver. Also I've been a bit naughty in the past (pre mtx) and not very good at stopping after one so I try to be extra careful....that makes me sound like a bit of an alcoholic which I'm not lol x
I think the odd glass is fine - even for me with squeaky tell take liver! I think mine only goes nuts if I have spirits such as a g&t or a small whisky - I guess I have to start reading the alcohol content/ proof more carefully now. Like Paula I tend to enjoy myself too readily because I've never been much of a drinker so when I do it goes straight to my head and then I can easily think "oh stuff it!" and add in a few glasses of wine too.
This Xmas, followed by Hogmanay followed by my 50th will see me drinking a little and then I'm going to see my GP to have my blood test next month and do a disclaimer - he said he would understand. I know that the Xmas spirit will stand more of a chance of being unleashed in me if I feel I can have a bit to drink so tell take liver you'll just have to put up with it this coming month! TTx
Hi Paula I'm on week 12 of mtx tomo and for the first 8 weeks I didn't touch a drop of alcohol,but it started to affect me,all I wanted was a couple ofglasses of wine each weekend.just to relax and enjoy life a little better.well since week 9 I have done exactly that,every weekend enjoyed a couple of glasses of Pinot,and I will do every week unless my bloods tell me not too.my rheumy nurse said last week alcohol is fine if your bloods are fine,and upto 10 to 14 units a week but never binge.so my 3 glasses a week is only 6 units so I'm well proud of myself lol !! Enjoy ur tipple at Xmas time.love Michelle xx
Hi yes moderation is key mine is about 3( 175mls) glasses a week and that is my max.. sometimes 2 on one night!, my tree is still in loft aaagh.. need some one to get it down and Xmas is off for me this year as if dads operation isnt cancelled for the 2nd time he will be in hospital over Xmas..
I've never been keen on forced jollity but now I can do it for my daughter and grandson that's ok and I went to see the reindeer in st Andrews square with them yesterday, it's too expensive isn't it tho were going to have a moratorium next year! I hope everyone on here has the Christmas they want. We have several people I don't know very well coming to dinner, two friends who are in middle of divorce and separated from children, and someone who can't get A flight home to Spain til 26 th. will have to pace myself and make gravy in advance etc
Xxx
I'm with Rockpool60 and Josie Can't wait for 26th 
........... I've always struggled with the forced Christmas spend and last 2 years since RA diagnosis I've been even worse. Last year I was almost on my knees trying to do everything I've always had to do but I was still working then. This year and no longer working I'm determined not to stress as much my but 'Christmas spirit' has left the building! I'm determined to get all wrapped up this week and am really hoping once that is done will begin to look forward to the big day even just a little bit.
I would like to add that when my children were little I loved seeing the joy and wonder on their little faces, it made it all seem worth it, but it's just not the same when they're teenagers.
Bah humbug
Judith xx
No you're not alone by any stretch. When you're ill it has a huge impact on life, even subconsciously. I felt really guilty for thinking it was just a sunday roast really and I've still not got the tree up or bought one present. But........perhaps having an illness makes you realise that all this razzle dazzle glam of glitter and "I want" is not what christmas is about anyway? I'm not a christian or an atheist but having RA has made me appreciate things differently. I wish I could say I went around grateful for every breath and blue sky but that wouldn't be trued. I do cry more when viewing depravity/abuse/poverty on the news etc on TV, but equally when I see something beautiful, a sky, a view, a kindness, I could cry too as it has touched me. Now I sound like i spend most of my time crying lol, that simply isn't true :o) Don't beat yourself up, when you feel like "pulling it out of the bag" for the kids or family etc you will.....but finding joy when you're knacked and ill is a toughy. I'm going to keep Xmas low key and smiley......and thanks... you've reminded me I really do need to pull my head out of my bum an get this tree up, shall do it with son and other half tonight lol xxxx
Hello. What a lovely comment and I really appreciate what you have said. This last year has been very hard. In January my husband took suddenly took ill with a tummy bug which turned into acute pancreatitis and hepatitis and spent 10 days in HDU. We almost lost him. In May I got diagnosed with RA and that was another blow. I am have found I have had a clear out of friends or things I did. I do things and meet people who I want to not because I am made too. Also like you I find watching things that make me smile..a seagull doing his tapdance for worms, or a frosty crisp morning. I am usually the person who cheers everyone up..when it was my turn..afraid that is when I knew who my real friends were I have phoned my Rheumy nurse as I think my meds have made me so ill even with the slight increase. I will get the xmas cards out and write them..maybe that will cheer me on. Thank you again xxxx
Thank you for all your comments. As I said I was usually the person who was the cheery Christmas person...this illness has knocked. After phoning the Rheumy nurse and told her how ill I felt since the increase she is showing me how to self inject in January. Thinks my stomach needs a rest and has okayed it with my consultant. So feel a bit better that they are helping me. Might even get the xmas cards out to write later. Gentle hugs xxxx
Bless yu. Been thinking....no mean feite :o) Look, Mtx is known for making some folk depressed!!! Please tell your rheumy how you feel emotionally. This as this is what it did to me and so they took me off it and tried Leflunomide, but this also was no good, and before that Sulphasalazine and this didn't work! Then I went onto Humira for 3 years and now I've just had my first infusion of Tocilizumab last week at the hospital. Every time I was so scared to try another drug as I was appreciative of the % of my life back than before but now have leapt through the door of faith I can see that % increasing with each new drug. You have a lot on your plate and cutting the wheat from the chaff is a must (i did the same) and like you I got/get @issed when I was the one making the phone calls and effort to help folk and when it was my time for help?... it didn't happen. You know why????? Coz folk like us are so capable, verbally and mentally and others think you'll ask for help if you need it. Although there is always a few planks in any circle that need to be cast away in the end lol. And, they just don't know what to say! They have no understanding. It's not their fault necessarily, their just ill-equipt to deal with heavy sh@t, as life hasn't dealt them anything more challenging than the usual ups and downs.
Ring back yr nurse and ask her to speak with yr consultant on your behalf to explain the way you're feeling at present and ask if there could be a link between a side effect and the drug possibly and if there was an alternative perhaps they could at least look into for you? Horrah for getting the cards out, and slip in a few small ones to those who perhaps fitted the description I wrote above, (the friends you may have set aside) and say something in the card...... not just happy christmas? If you manage this you'll be better than me as I never send cards as I feel I'm doing my bit for the planet......well that and being a lazy mare and the cost.....
Baaa humbug lol xxxx Big hugs xxxx
Hi Rockpool. Try not to beat yourself up. I feel much the same this year as not feeling too good. Got all Bah Humbug at the thought of writing out cards - not exactly an arduous task but sometimes even the smallest "ought to" seems like a huge imposition. It's bad timing that Christmas always comes at a time of year when the weather and short days are likely to make you feel more poorly and bleak. I find it helps when I'm feeling particularly bleak to just acknowledge the fact that I feel dismal and to focus on just getting through that day, or even that hour, in the knowledge that the following one might be just a little better. Hopefully your spirits will lift soon but in the meantime how abut a spot of delegation - it might help everyone realise what a star you usually are doing all the organising yourself x
yes i know how you feel ive lost all my mojo and personality since ra god knows what i be like when i start drugs its depressing thoughts still did manage with hubby to put tree up on sat buthavent done any cards or pressie yet will do when i feel ok to do if not wont get done thats the way it is dont beat yourself up your health is more important take care xxxxx
Know how you feel Ra and an op = no xmas spirit, bah humbug ( but still wishing my xmas mojo will return in time, gonna try mince pie and a xmas movie tomorrow!!) Axx
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Whatever your RA status… Merry Christmas 
Does RA have a sense of humour?
